Suggested Guidelines for Applying a Systemic Lens to Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy.

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy effectively treats individual conditions like addiction, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, but current research overlooks relational and systemic factors. This conceptual article proposes integrating relational principles into therapy and research, emphasizing how psychedelic experiences affect interpersonal dynamics, attachment patterns, and family systems. A 10-session research protocol is outlined, including preparation, psilocybin administration, and integration sessions that involve partners or family members. Outcome measures assess relational quality, attachment security, communication, emotional intimacy, and intergenerational trauma using validated tools. The framework draws on Bowenian family systems theory, structural family therapy, emotionally focused therapy, and contextual family therapy, aiming to bridge a gap in the literature and promote long-term systemic change beyond individual symptom reduction.

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Abstract

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has demonstrated efficacy in treating individual mental health conditions such as addiction, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, current research predominantly focuses on individual experiences, overlooking the relational and systemic factors that influence healing and long-term therapeutic outcomes. This conceptual article proposes a systemic approach to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and research, integrating relational principles to explore the impact of psychedelic experiences on interpersonal dynamics, attachment patterns, and family systems. The proposed research design outlines a 10-session systemic research protocol involving preparation, psilocybin administration, and integration, with sessions that include significant relational figures, such as partners or family members. Outcome measures are outlined to assess relational quality, attachment security, communication patterns, emotional intimacy, and intergenerational trauma using validated psychometric tools. Systemic theories inform the therapeutic framework, including Bowenian family systems theory, structural family therapy, emotionally focused therapy, and contextual family therapy. By incorporating relational dynamics into psychedelic-assisted therapy, this article seeks to help bridge a critical gap in the existing literature and inform the development of integrative treatment models that promote long-term, systemic change beyond individual symptom reduction.